Local doctor links spill to symptoms

By Jennie Hobbs

Rodney D. Soto, medical doctor for the Younger You Institute in Santa Rosa Beach, recently started testing and treating patients in relation to high levels of volatile solvents in the blood stream that he says might be linked to BP's oil spill in the gulf.

"What I am concerned most about is a long-term effect that won’t even show up for years, but (is) going to have tremendous implications in human immune system and hormonal function and brain function,” Soto said, in relation to his patients fears about exposure to the hazardous materials.

Petroleum and dispersant compounds are liposoluble, meaning they have a high affinity for fat, Soto said.

According to Florida Department of Environmental Protection, "the BP spill contains crude oil and natural gas. Crude oil and natural gas may include volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Those of most concern would be principally: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, meta-xylene, para-xylene, and ortho-xylene (m-xylene, p-xylene, and o-xylene)."

“It is not the fat that you would think of; it is the fat tissue in your body. The brain is 70 percent fat, and the glands, immune cells, the intestinal tract, thyroid, breast, prostate, the organs and systems. That is why it causes all of these disorders,” Soto said. “That is why it is so significant for children."

Children’s brains and reproductive organs and processes are still forming, which could make their exposure to the petro chemicals even more significant.

Though the clinic specializes in anti-aging and aesthetic medicine, Soto is a medical doctor licensed in two states. He said the medical community has been monitoring the spill's impact but has failed to develop adequate treatment methods.

Okaloosa Island resident Joseph Yerkes said he recently tested positive for high levels of volatile solvents in his blood and is being treated for toxic exposure.

Read more...

Photo Jennie Hobbs| The Sun

Posted via http://batavia08.posterous.com batavia08's posterous